Portable ejectable help-summoning device



FIP8102 May 31, 1966 c. J. PENN PORTABLE EJECTABLE HELP-SUMMONING DEVICE2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed Nov. 21, 1963 INVENTOR.

May 31, 1966 J. PENN 3,253,810

PORTABLE EJECTABLE HELP-SUMMONING DEVICE Filed Nov. 21, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Hamil H60 120 IN VEN TOR:

United States Patent 3,253,810 PORTABLE EJECTABLE HELP-SUMMONING DEVICECharles James Penn, 16411 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, Calif. FiledNov. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 325,363 4 Claims. (Cl. 244-138) This inventionrelates to help-summoning devices and more specifically to means forsummoning help to disaster survivors of an aircraft abandoned overeither water or solid ground, or to these still in a sunken submarine,or from or in a disabled surface seacraft or a land vehicle, and is aportable ejectable help-summoning device with self-contained means forpreservation and performance.

Heretofore occurred frequent failures to hear from and locate survivorsof an aircraft, submarine, suface seacraft and/or land vehicle disasterswhich were often due to simultaneous disablement of the carrier-attachedradio broadcasting equipment, if any.

Common portable devices in a portable radio transmitter field, normallysuitable for broadcasting a verbal message, are not likely to surviveemergency conditions such as ejection and fall from an aircraft, shockin landing, exposure to cold, heat, water and like, nor are they capableof cat-like landing in upward position required for the antenna, nor ofraising from under the water to the surface, nor can they be dependedupon, if afloat, to remain in the disaster proximity, nor to substituteas a life preserver for a drowning survivor.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a portable devicecomprising an electric battery or the like, a vocal messagereceiver-recorder-transmitter, a radio broadcasting equipment, andactuating components-all enclosed in a scalable heat-cold-water-proofhousing with self-contained means for assuming and maintaining an upwardposition in relation to said-equipment-antenna, selfcontained means forprojecting the latter upwardly from. the housing automatically at apre-set time, self-contained means for thereafter actuatingautomatically the record transmission and thereof radio broadcasting viathe projected antenna.

Another object of this invention is to provide in the hereabovedescribed device a self-contained means for slowing the fall of thedevice when it is ejected from an aircraft.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in said deviceself-contained means for actuating automatically at a pre-set time themeans for slowing the fall of the device.

Also an object of this invention is to provide in said deviceself-contained shock absorbing means for reducing impact in devicelanding.

It is also an object of this invention to provide in said deviceself-contained means for helping the device to raise from under thewater to the surface and to keep it afloat.

Among the other objects of this invention is to provide in said deviceself-contained means for anchoring the device when afloat.

It is also an object of this invention to provide in said deviceself-contained means for actuating at pre-set time automatically themeans for anchoring the device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide in said deviceself-contained manually pre-operated means for neutralizing one or moreof some of the aforesaid various actuating means when engagement ofmeans affected thereby is or are not needed.

It is likewise an object of this invention to make said devicesusceptible of being carried, lifted and, when afloat, of being held to,substituting as a life-preserver.

It is an important object of this invention to make its 3,253,3WPatented May 31, 1966 reduction to practice simple and durable inmanufacture and use.

To illustrate by an example how the above and other objects of thisinvention can be practically achieved reference now is being made to theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective side view of a device comprising features ofthis invention and shows the device closed and some of its exposedcomponents in folded positions.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective semi-top view of the device (shown inFIGURE 1) except it shows some of the exposed components unfolded forbreaking its fall after the device is ejected from a distance above.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the same device (shown in FIGURE 2) landed onwater from above and shows its self-contained anchor anchored to thebottom after release from the device, and shows a self-contained antennaprojected from the device and transmitting a radio message, and, in thebackground, shows disabled aircraft fallen into water after the devicehas been ejected therefrom.

FIGURE 4 is a view of the device (shown in FIGURE 1) floating on thesurface of the water after it was ejected from the indicated disabledand sunken submarine, and shows the anchor anchored to the bottom andthe antenna transmitting a radio message.

FIGURE 5 is a view of the device (shown in FIGURE 2) landed on solidground from above on its still secured thereto anchor, and shows therebyengaged shock absorbing springs secured above the anchor thereagainst.

FIGURE 6 is a view of the device (shown in FIGURE 1) placed over theroof of a land vehicle, and shows the antenna projected from the deviceand transmitting a radio message,

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional side view of device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of components indicated in FIGURE 7 and ofelectric circuits affecting said components.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional side cross-section showing mechanical means forunfolding a fall-breaking component.

FIGURE 1 1 is a sectional view of a front side of the device antenna andshows mechanical means for unfolding antenna side flops when the antennais projected from the device.

FIGURE 12 is a top view taken at 12-12 of FIG- URE 7.

In reference to the drawings:

Housing 13 is cone-shaped and of durable material and has its innerwalls lined with cold-and-heat insulator 14 and has an open neck 15 withopen slots 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D (FIGURE 8) facing the opening. Housing16 1s cylindrically shaped and has a closed upper section 16A of largerdiameter than the opening of neck 15; open section 16B; and round bottom16C adapted for passing through said opening of neck 15; columns 16D,16E, 16F and 16G connecting bottom 16C with lower walls of closedsection 16A; and square funnel 16H; protuberances 16i, 16 16k and 16!extend sidewise outwardly from columns 16D, 16E, 16F and 16Grespectively and are respectively smaller than slots 15A, 15B, 15C and15D respectively. Likewise protuberances 16m16p (FIGURE 7) extend frombottom 16C and respectively opposite the protuberances 16i-16krespectively and at a distance therefrom slightly larger than the wallthickness of housing 13. Circumferentially the locations of saidprotuberances are respectively co-ordinated with locations of said slotsso that they can be inserted simultaneously through the latter. If onlythe protuberances 16m-16p are so inserted and then housing 16 is turnedthen apparently protuberances 16i-16k will hold housing 16 against theedges of neck 15 from further descent through the opening of neck 15 (asshown in FIGURE 7). If all of said protuberances are inserted throughslots ISA-15D then section 16B of housing 16 will descend into housing13. The latter has floor 13A at a distance from its top substantiallyequal to the height of section 16B. Floor 13A has opening 13G and slotscorresponding respectively with slots 15A-15D of the opening of neck 15,thus the protuberances 16m-16p may be inserted through the correspondingslots in floor 13A and thereafter housing 16 turned which will lock itin closed position shown in FIGURE 1. To make said locking airtight arubber washer 17 (FIGURE 7) is mounted around section 16B under sidewiseextending bottom walls of section 16A of housing 16. The top wall ofsection 16A has circular protuberance 18 with a two-stage-openingthrough the middle section thereof, i.e. the top-stage 18Acone shaped,and the thereunder-stage 18Bsquare shaped and corresponding to funnel16H and having an off-set in its middle-way occupied by rubber washer19. Under the floor 13A the housing 13 is further divided intodownwardly successive chambers 13B, 13C, 13E and 13F. Chamber 13C ishermetically sealed from others and is either a vacuum or filled with agas lighter than air, for instance, helium, for reducing weight of thedevice and helping the upper section thereof to float above water,Chamber 13F is filled with ballast for keeping device in upward positionin flight, water or on the ground. Chamber 13B houses electric batteries20 and radio transmitting equipment 21. Chamber 13E houses asubstantially large rotary spool 22 for anchor cord 23 one end of whichis tied to anchor shaft 24A of anchor 24 through funnel 25 connectingchamber 13E with the outside. Spool 22 is ordinarily kept from rotatingby pin 28 kept in spool seat 22A by inwardly resilient spring 28A(FIGURE 9) which keeps anchor 24 in position shown in FIGURE 7 againstshock absorbing springs 26, 26A and like secured to the bottom ofhousing 13. Handle 27, for carrying and lifting the device or forholding to it in water, is secured over and with top wall of housing 16and, when disengaged, is brought and kept flat thereagainst by means ofsprings 27A and 27B (FIG- URE 12). Wings 29, 30, 31 and 32 are hingedcircularly with, to and around upper section of housing 13 on theoutside thereof under its circularly and outwardly protruding collar 13H(FIGURE adapted for restricting the extent of upward unfolding of saidwings, substantially as indicated in FIGURE 10. Outwardly resilientsprings, like spring 33, are secured between each of said wings andhousing 13 to cause said wings to unfold when not held against the outerside wall of housing 13. Ordinarily said wings are held folded as shownin FIG- URES 1 and 7 by hooks, like hook 34 (FIGURE 7), pivoted withinhousing 13 and protruding outwardly therefrom through soft rubberwashers, like washer 35, sealed in openings therefor in side wall ofhousing 13 for allowing upward and downward motion for each hook whilesealing housing 13. Slot-like openings, like opening 31A (FIGURES 1 and7) are provided in each wing opposite each of said hooks when the wingsare folded, each of said hooks is inserted through a respective slotlikeopening in the wing, is pressed down thereagainst and holds the latterfolded with co-operation of a respective spring, like spring 33Z. Eachof said hooks may be lifted against resiliency of said spring (like 33Z)from within housing 13 by an electromagnet, like 36 and 36A in FIGURE 7.In due time, as described below, said electro-magnets (36, 36A, 36B and36C in FIGURE 9) are actuated for lifting said respective hooks wherebythe wings 29-32 become released and unfold by means of their respectivesprings, like spring 33 (FIGURE 10).

Wings 29-32 are bridged with each other by V-shaped pieces (37, 37A,37B, 37CFIGURE 2) of soft strong material, like nylon, securedrespectively between opposite side edges of said wings thereto andfolded thereunder when the wings are held folded (substantially asindicated in FIGURE 7), and unfolded together with said wings to formtherewith a continuous parachute-like roof substantially as indicated inFIGURE 2. The length of an inverted-T-shaped metal square rod 38 has itsfront side teethed (as indicated in FIGURES 7, 9 and 11) for worm-gearengagement, has a cone-shaped plug 38A secured to its top and adapted tofit-in and seal opening 18A (FIGURE 7), has an elf-set 38B (FIGURE 11)at the base of its thinner section, has two flat rods (38C and 38D)pivoted in said off-set 38B and each having its respective pivotedend-section cut at an angle to restrict extent of their respectiveunfolding against the thinner section of rod 38, substantially asindicated in FIGURE 11, has outwardly resilient springs 38B and 38Fsecured between its thinner section and rods 38C and 38D respectivelyand adapted to force unfolding of the latter two. Rod 38 via its thickerend is inserted into and through housing 16 via opening 18A-18B andfunnel 16H until it is held by plug 38A when seated in opening 18A, asshown in FIGURE 7. In so inserting rod 38 the rods 38C and 38D will bepressed (folded) against thinner section of rod 38, as shown. Worm-gear39 (FIGURES 7 and 9) is turnably secured against teethed side of rod 38within section 16A of housing 16 and is driven by electric motor 60 forprojecting rod 38 (and rods 38C and 38D) from housing 16 substantiallyas indicated in FIGURES 3-6.

Section 16B of housing 16 (FIGURE 7) houses electrically operatedwire-recorder (message-receiver-recorder-transmitter) 40 (FIGURES 7 and9), two-way switch 41, plug 42 for removablemessage-delivering-forrecording microphone, antenna brush 65, and fourelectrically operated timing devices identified in FIGURE 7 under onenumber 43, and in FIGURE 9 further identified individually as timingdevices 43A, 43B, 43C and 43D respectively; device 43A governingactuation of electro-magnets 36, 36A, 36B and 36C for lifting hooks 34,34A, 34B and 34C for unhooking wings 29-32; device 43B governingactuation of motor 60 for projecting rod 38 from housing 16; device 43Cgoverning actuation of electromagnet 64 for pulling pin 28 from anchorreel 22 whereby the latter will be free to rotate for unwinding of cord23 therefrom pulled by weight of anchor 24 until or unless latter restson solid ground; device 43D governing actuation of transmitting byrecorder 40 and of radio transmitting equipment 21 forradio-broadcasting of the pre-recorded message via brush 65 conductivelypressing against projected TOCI 38 adapted as radio antenna. Devices43A, 43B and/or 43C, either, any, two or all, may be manuallytire-disconnected from battery 20 via respective shut-off switches 43E,43F and 43G depending upon where and/or wherefrom the entire device isexpected to be used, i.e. [from aircraft, over water or ground,submarine and/ or ground vehicle. For instance, if it is to be used froma ground vehicle, the timing devices 43A and 43C are apparently notneeded; if from submarine timing device 43A is not needed; if fromaircraft over solid ground timing device 43C is not needed, in thelatter case anchor 24 need not be ejected from the device but would actas a landing platform of the shock absorbing springs 26, 26A and likewhen device lands on the ground.

Timing devices 43A, 43B, 43C and 43D have clockwise motors 43H, 43I, 43]and 43K respectively (FIG- URE 9), all, for instance, of equal speed.Said motors have extended axles 44, 45, 46 and 47 respectively.Perpendicularly to said axles are secured thereto conductive inwardlyspringy handles 48, 49, 50 and 51 respectively. Each handle has anindicated inwise protuberance pointed against circular ring-like face(52, 53, 54

and 55 respectively). Face 52 comprises conductive plate 52A andconductive plate 52B insulated from each other and both on the samelevel. Circular length of plate 52B depends upon length of time requiredto effectively unhook wings 29-32. A throw-switch 56 is secured oppositeplate 52A for engagement by extension of handle 48 after latter leavesplate 528. Face 53 has similar arrangement of plates 53A and 53B andswitch 57, except here the circular length of plate 53B depends onlength of time required to project antenna 38 from housing 16. Face 54comprises conductive plate 54A and sunk conductive plate 54B insulatedfrom each other. Face 55 comprises similar, as in face 54, plates 55Aand 553. Electric current is supplied from battery via shown electriccircuits A and B leading from its opposite terminals respectively.Cincuit B connects with one terminal of motor 431 via shut-off switch43F, one terminal of motor 43K, one terminal of motor 43] via shut-offswitch 436, one terminal of motor 43H via shut-off switch 43E, oneterminal of electro-magnet 64, one terminal of motor 60, one terminal ofelectromagnets 36A, 36B, C and 36 respectively, terminal B ofwire-recorder 40 and one terminal of radio-transmitter set 21. Circuit Aconnects with handle terminal of the two-way switch 41. 0f the latterone contact-terminal 41A connects with one A terminal of recorder 40 foractuating, when engaged, the latter to receive and record vocal messagevia plug 42 adapted for removable microphone (indicated in FIGURE 7),the other contact-terminal 41B (of switch 41) is connected withconductive axles 44-47 via brushes (indicated in FIGURE 9) on the timingdevices 43A, 43B, 43C and 43D, and with stationary contact-terminals ofthe throw-switches 56 and 57 respectively.

In timing device 43A terminal A of its motor 43H is connected with thethrow-handle-terminal of switch 56, in timing device 43B terminal A ofits motor 431 is connected with the throw-handle-terminal of switch 57,in timing device 43C terminal A of its motor 43] is connected with plate54A, in timing device 43D terminal A of its motor 43K is connected withplate A. In timing device 43A plate 52B is connected with A terminals ofelectro-magnets 36, 36A, 36B and 36C respectively, in timing device 43Bplate 53B is connected with terminal A of motor 60, in timing device 430plate 54B is connected with terminal A of electro-magnet 64, in timingdevice 43D plate 55B is connected with second terminal A of recorder 40for actuating, when engaged, the latter to transmit pre-recordedmessage, and with terminal A of radio transmitting set 21 for actuating,when engaged, the latter to receive transmission of the pre-recordedmessage from recorder 40 and to radio retransmit the message via antenna38 with which set 21 is connected via brush which is connected with theantenna 38 by brushing thereagainst and 'with transmitting terminal ofset 21 by circuit as indicated in FIG- URE 9.

In timing devices 43A, 43B, 43C, 43D handles 48-51 may be manuallypre-set over any circular point of their respective faces 52-55respectively. In FIGURE 9 their relative to each other positionsindicate that, when actuated, first the handle 48 will reach engage anddisengage plate 52B, then it will throw open switch 56 thus deactuatingitself; after a while handle 49 will reach, engage and disengage plate53B then throw open switch 57 thus likewise de-actuating itself; thenafter a while handle 50 will reach and engage 54B and will remain overthe latter (plate 54B) as by reaching it handle 50 de-actuates itself;finally after a while handle 51 Will reach and likewise continuouslyengage plate 55B. Resultant thereof and at predetermined intervals firstthe wings 29-32 will be unhooked long enough for their release andunfolding, then, after elaipse of pre-estimated time needed for descentthe worm-gear 39 will move antenna 38 upwardly long enough for theantenna to become fully projected, then reel 22 will become continuouslyreleased from pin 28 for unpredeterminable degree of unwinding of anchorcord 23, and finally after elapse of a maximum anticipated time neededfor the device to descend, for instance, from an aircraft to the oceanand to settle thereupon and get itself anchored, the radio broadcastingof pre-recorded message will be actuated, and, of course, may berepeated continuously by adding common repeater mechanism in therecorder In a case of a disabled aircraft over the ocean the pilot opensthe control section of such device, for instance, by pulling housing 16upward from housing 13 to position shown in FIGURE 7, secures it in suchposition as has been described, sets handles 48-51 according toprevailing conditions such as fall distance and like, closes switches43E, 43F, 436 (FIGURE 9), plugs removable microphone into plug 42, turnsfrom normally neutral position the handle of switch 41 to contactterminal 41A thereof, gives verbal message to recorder 40 on what hashappened, location, identification, call for help etc., pulls outmicrophone from plug 42, turns handle of switch 41 to contact terminal41B thereof, closes and locks the device (as has been described), liftsdevice by handle 27 and throws it out from the aircraft and follows thedevice on his own parachute. If the aircraft happens to be over solidground the pilot leaves switch 43G open (since the anchoring is notrequired). If device is to be ejected from a sunken submarine ordisabled ship, the operator leaves switch 43E open (since unfolding ofthe wings is not required). If device is to be used from a disabledground vehicle, the operator leaves switches 43E and 436 open (sinceneither the unfolding of the wings nor anchoring are required).

While the reduction to practice of the objects of this invention hasbeen hereabove exemplified by the referred to illustration anddescription it is understood, of course, that various and widemodifications in structure, design, components, arrangements and likewithin the herein disclosed and taught principles of this invention maybe resorted to without jeopardizing this patent protection, and that thelatter is limited only by the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for carrying in a drop from high altitude to and againstland and water, for ascending from under water to surface, for anchoringthere and for stabilizing at and after impact with uneven hard groundvarious contents such as an electrically operated voice recorder andtransmitter, radio transmitting equipment, timing devices, electricbattery and like and other associated components,

a cone-shaped durable housing comprising a plurality of verticallysuccessive chambers; a first thereof over the relative wider bottom ofthe housing and with stationary secured there relatively heavy ballastmeans for keeping said bottom downward; the second chamber over thefirst and with therein rotatably secured a reel of anchor rope andreleasable means for locking the reel against rotating; a relativelynarrow passage leading from the second chamber through the first and thebottom; the third and permanently sealed chamber over the second andfilled with contra-ballast means for lightening the housing and contentsin the fall, touch-down and ascent; the fourth chamber adjacent to thethird and adapted for carrying the various contents and having anopening to the outside; releasable closing means for sealing the fourthchamber; outwardly resilient shock-absorbing means secured to andloosely protruding downwardly from the bottom of the housing; a durableand substantially heavy platform sidewise conforming to the cone-shapeof the housing when placed and aligned thereunder against and under theshock-absorbing means; releasable means conjunctive with the reellocking means for keeping the platform in such place and alignment andcomprising an elongated protuberance from the upper face of the platformand loosely inserted into the passage and secured with the rope of saidlocked reel; said platform, when so kept, adapted as verticallystabilizing means for the housing dropped over uneven land, and, whenthe reel is unlocked, as, released on the rope, anchor means for thehousing in water.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing has on the outside aplurality of wing-like hard plates respectively hinged to and around theupper side section of the housing for rigid securement therewith and forfolding downwardly against the side wall of the housing and forunfolding upwardly therefrom, said plates of shape and lengthsubstantially conforming to the shape and length of the housing when inthe folded position; outwardly resilient means for unfolding the platesupwardly; means for limiting the unfolding of the plates to asubstantially horizontal position; releasable means for holding theplates in folded position; durable substantially soft material securedwith and under the plates for fully connecting the latter bridge-likewith each other in substantially umbrella-like manner when the platesare unfolded, and for collapsing thereunder when the plates are kept infolded position.

3. A device for carrying substantially fragile contents in a drop fromhigh altitude to and against land and water, for ascending from underwater to surface, for anchoring there and for stabilizing vertically atand after impact on uneven hard ground,

a cone-shaped durable housing comprising therewithin a substantiallyheavy ballast means close to the bottom to keep the latter downwards; arotatably secured reel of anchor rope; releasable means for locking thereel against rotating; a downward passage leading to the outside fromthe reel; above the reel a permanently sealed contra-ballast means forcooperating with thereunder ballast means in keeping the bottomdownwards, and for lightening the housing and the contents in the fall,touch-down and ascent, and for increasing the housing buoyancy in water;a compartment having an upwardly directed opening to the outside forstoring the substantially fragile contents; releasable closing means forsealing the open compartment; outside of the housing an outwardlyresilient shock-absorbing means secured to and loosely protrudingdownwardly from the bottom; a substantially heavy platform with a flatbottom face and concaved top face forming a radially substantially sharpgrabbing edge in meeting with side walls of the platform, said sidewalls conforming with the cone-shape of the housing when the platform isplaced and aligned therewith thereunder against and under theshock-absorbing means; releasable means conjunctive with the reellocking means for keeping the platform in such place and alignment andincluding an elongated protuberance stationary with and upwardlyprojecting from the top face of the platform and loosely inserted intothe passage and secured with the rope of locked reel; said platform,when so kept, adapted as vertically stabilizing means for the housingdropped over uneven land, and, when the reel is unlocked, as, releasedon the rope, anchoring means for the housing in water; an umbrella-likemeans for retarding the falling speed of the housing and comprisingdurable soft and pliable sheet material extending under and secured to afolding radial frame of rigid plates respectively hinged to and aroundthe outside upper circumference of the housing for folding downwardlyagainst the housing sides and over then collapsed thereunder theplates-bridging sections of the soft material and then conforming to thecone-shape and length of the housing, and for unfolding upwardly inumbrella-like manner; means for restricting the degree of the unfolding;outwardly resilient means for causing the unfolding; releasable meansfor holding the umbrella-like means in the folded position.

4. A device for carrying down a load in upward position in a drop fromhigh altitude with retarded falling speed,

a substantially cone-shaped housing comprising predominant weight in thelower section thereof; a plurality of rigid alike plates matching thehousing shape and length when placed sidewise thereagainst therearoundsubstantially adjacent to each other, said plates being radially hingedby their narrowest sides to and around the housing outer topcircumference for folding downwardly against the housing sides and forunfolding upwardly therefrom; means for re-' stricting the unfolding ofthe plates to a substantially horizontal position; outwardly resilientmeans for unfolding the plates; releasable means for holding the platesin folded position; pliant sheet material means secured to and under theplates and extended therebetween for fully bridging the plates with eachother umbrella-like when said plates are unfolded, and for collapsingunder the plates when the latter are held in folded position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,310,017 2/1943Canon et a1. 325-116 2,470,783 5/ 1949 Mead.

2,500,809 3/1950 Fennessy et a1. 325l14 2,519,553 8/1950 Faulkner 3251l42,825,803 3/1958 Newbrough 3251 14 X 2,907,875 10/1959 Seyfang 325-1l6 X2,928,935 3/1960 Murray 325-116 X FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.

DAVID G. REDINBAUGH, Examiner.

J. W. CALDWELL, A. E. CORRIGAN,

Assistant Examiners.

4. A DEVICE FOR CARRYING DOWN A LOAD IN UPWARD POSITION IN A DROP FROMHIGH ALTITUDE WITH RETARDED FALLING SPEED, A SUBSTANTIALLY CONE-SHAPEDHOUSING COMPRISING PREDOMINANT WEIGHT IN THE LOWER SECTION THEREOF; APLURALITY OF RIGID ALIKE PLATES MATCHING THE HOUSING SHAPE AND LENGTHWHEN PLACED SIDEWISE THEREAGAINST THEREAROUND SUBSTANTIALLY ADJACENT TOEACH OTHER, SAID PLATES BEING RADIALLY HINGED BY THEIR NARROWEST SIDESTO AND AROUND THE HOUSING OUTER TOP CIRCUMFERENCE FOR FOLDING DOWNWARDLYAGAINST THE HOUSING SIDES AND FOR UNFOLDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM; MEANSFOR RESTRICTING THE UNFOLDING OF THE PLATES TO A SUBSTANTIALLYHORIZONTAL POSITION; OUTWARDLY RESILIENT MEANS FOR UNFOLDING THE PLATES;RELEASABLE MEANS FOR HOLDING THE PLATES IN FOLDED POSITION; PLIANT SHEETMATERIAL MEANS SECURED TO AND UNDER THE PLATES AND EXTENDED THEREBETWEENFOR FULLY BRIDGING THE PLATES WITH EACH OTHER UMBRELLA-LIKE WHEN SAIDPLATES ARE UNFOLDED, AND FOR COLLAPSING UNDER THE PLATES WHEN THE LATTERARE HELD IN FOLDED POSITION.